Idoia MENDIA

Policy topics Idoia MENDIA is active on

What Idoia MENDIA has said (37)

• 2026-02-16 “E-000652/2026 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the challenging situation of Tubos Reunidos, including the impact on its exports of the 50% duty applied by the US. In this respect, the Commission is engaging with the US on ring-fencing the EU and US markets from overcapacity and ensuring secure supply chains, including through tariff-rate quotas to improve access for EU steelmakers into the US market 1 . Under the Steel and Metals Action Plan (SMAP) 2 , the Commission focuses on six pillars addressing energy costs, carbon leakage, industrial capacity, circularity, jobs and investment. The Commission put forward a proposal to address the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity in October 2025 3 , that is currently in co-decision and expected to be effective as of 1 July 2026. This measure will provide an effective level of protection against the negative trade-related of global overcapacity in the EU market, improving the economic performance of EU steelmakers. In March 2026, the proposal for the Industrial Accelerator Act 4 was adopted, creating lead markets for clean industrial products, like steel used in construction and cars under the CO₂ emissions performance standards framework. Finally, the SMAP places strong emphasis on protecting quality industrial jobs and supporting workers and regions in transition. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) 5 provides support when restructuring is unavoidable. The Fund co-finances active labour market measures designed to help displaced workers re-enter employment. On 26 February 2026, the European Parliament and EU Member States reached a political agreement to enhance the EGF, introducing anticipatory support for workers at risk of redundancy. 1 Joint Statement on a United States-European Union framework on an agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade - Trade and Economic Security: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/joint-statement-unitedstates-european-union-framework-agreement-reciprocal-fair-and-balanced-trade-2025-08-21_en. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0125. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=COM(2025)726&lang=en. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52026PC0100. 5 Regulation (EU) 2021/691 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) and repealing Regulation (EU) 1309/2013 (OJ L 153, 3.5.2021, p. 48–70: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2021.153.01.0048.01.ENG).”
  "Buy European" provisions · State Aid · EU-US trade relations
• 2026-02-11 “E-000571/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is strengthening the evidence base on the impact of AI on labour markets and workplaces. It has launched several initiatives, including two Social Situation Monitor research notes 1 providing new evidence on AI and employment in the EU, and the AIMWORK survey (2024–2025) 2 , which delivers representative data across all Member States on the use of AI, digital monitoring and algorithmic management. In addition, the Commission has collected the views of European citizens on the use of AI and the future of work through a Eurobarometer survey published in 2025. Finally, as announced in the Apply AI Strategy 3 , the Commission will continue to monitor the impact of AI via the AI Observatory, which will provide indicators to assess its impact across sectors. This work will inform the activities of the European Skills Intelligence Observatory, announced in the Union of Skills 4 , with which appropriate synergies will be ensured The Commission is committed to ensuring that evidence on the impact of AI and digital technologies on labour markets informs effective policy action. In December 2025, the Commission presented the Quality Jobs Roadmap 5 , setting out concrete actions to promote high-quality and future-proof jobs in the EU. In parallel, it launched a two-stage consultation with social partners on the Quality Jobs Act, announced in the President of the Commission’s 2025 State of the Union address. The first stage ended on 29 January 2026. Both the roadmap and the ongoing consultation with social partners address the use of AI and algorithmic management in the workplace. 1 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/analysis-evaluation-impact-assessmentand-databases/employment-and-social-analysis/social-situation-monitor_en. 2 https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC143072. 3 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/apply-ai. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/topics/competitiveness/union-skills_en. 5 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_2917.”
  Artificial Intelligence · EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment
• 2026-02-11 “E-000570/2026 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission In line with the overall EU approach to trade and investment agreements, also in the ongoing negotiations with Southeast Asian countries (Malaysia. Philippines, Thailand), the Commission aims at reaching comprehensive deals that can bring growth opportunities for the EU economy and employment as a whole. The EU negotiating proposals are intended to address a wide range of issues. Notably, the EU pursues the establishment of effective rules underpinning a more level playing field across the board, robust and enforceable disciplines on trade and sustainable development, including with respect to fisheries-related issues, and meaningful market access for EU operators. As in all free trade agreement negotiations, for economically sensitive products, such as certain fisheries or agricultural products, the EU pursues carefully designed specific modalities for market access which aim at preventing any market disturbances.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• 2026-01-21 “Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission 26.3.2026 Written question The Political Guidelines [1] reaffirm the commitment to a Union of Equality, which includes the need to combat age-based discrimination. EU legislation [2] prohibits age discrimination in employment and supports the enforcement of equality laws through relevant equality bodies [3] . The proposal for an Equal Treatment Directive [4] aims to fill a gap in EU law by extending protection against age discrimination to social protection, education and access to services, including housing. Age-related concerns are integrated in the strategy on Intergenerational Fairness [5] through the proposal of a Longevity Roadmap, or considered in the preparation of initiatives, such as the forthcoming anti-poverty strategy and the communication on e nhancing the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities up to 2030 . The European Care Strategy [6] and the Council Recommendation on long-term care [7] also encourage Member States to provide high-quality, affordable and accessible care services for all citizens across their lifespan. A recent study on age discrimination in the EU [8] carried out for the Commission provides an analysis of the state of play on age equality, maps existing actions, particularly at Member States’ level, and identifies gaps. Findings are supporting further work on the topic, including within the High-Level Group on non-discrimination, equality and diversity [9] (which previously issued a conclusion paper on ‘Age equality and non-discrimination on the grounds of age’ [10] i n 2024). The Commission is currently monitoring ongoing discussions on a United Nations convention on the rights of older persons. [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2000/78/oj/eng. [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1499/oj/eng. [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52008PC0426. [5] https://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/intergenerational-fairness-communication/intergenerational_fairness_strategy_layout.pdf. [6] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/european-care-strategy-caregivers-and-care-receivers-2022-09-07_en. [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2022_476_R_0001. [8] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/age-discrimination_en#study-on-discrimination-on-the-grounds-of-age-in-the-eu . [9] https://commission.europa.eu/about/service-standards-and-principles/transparency/register-expert-groups_en. [10] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/combatting-discrimination/tackling-discrimination/network-experts-field-anti-discrimination_en#conclusion-paper-of-the-high-level-group-on-non-discrimination-equality-and-diversity .”
  EU policy on aging workforce and pensions · EU competences on social policies
• 2025-06-24 “E-002536/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission 1. Total allowable catches are based on the best scientific advice. However, quota disputes, including unilateral increases by certain third countries, are leading to overfishing and negatively affecting mackerel stocks. The EU is actively engaged in consultations with other coastal States to conclude comprehensive and balanced sharing arrangements, and contrary to other partners it has kept its quota stable. Moreover, the Commission advocates coherence across policies, including trade. The review of Regulation (EU) No 1026/2012 1 on measures against unsustainable fishing by third countries, on which the European Parliament and the Council have reached a political agreement in May 2025, is a key step. 2. The Commission fully recognises mackerel’s ecological and socio-economic importance. Member States can use their programmes under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to support affected fishers and strengthen sector resilience. 3. Under EMFAF, small-scale fisheries benefit from exceptional support, with almost all related projects eligible for 100% public funding. The Commission supports their resilience through decarbonisation, sustainable practices, and by promoting local value chains. Under Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 2 , Member States can grant preferential access to waters up to 12 nautical miles and determine national quota allocations. Efforts to support small-scale fisheries also focus on improved safety and accident data, social indicators, and strengthening Producer Organisations. Small-scale fisheries will also be the focus of the next implementation dialogue the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans will host on 24 November 2025. 1 OJ L 316, 14.11.2012, p. 34. 2 OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22–61.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries · Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• 2025-05-07 “E-001853/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is monitoring collective redundancies and restructuring events in the EU, including through Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor 1 . The Commission will establish a European Fair Transition Observatory, to strengthen the evidence base on fairness of the green transition, develop standardised indicators, facilitate data sharing and ensure a transparent dialogue with social partners and stakeholders. The Clean Industrial Deal provides over 70 measures to support industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation in Europe. These measures concern access to energy, lead markets, investment, materials and resources, global markets and skills. The main financial instruments to support workers affected by restructuring are the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), which helps in a more anticipative way by supporting upskilling and reskilling, and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF), which helps in case of major restructuring events. The EGF intervenes by co-financing active labour market policy measures to bring dismissed workers back into sustainable employment. ESF+ in Spain plays a crucial role to promote employment in a changing labour market, to enhance the skills and competencies of the Spanish workforce. The Commission has recently proposed an amendment to the Regulation on the EGF, broadening the support to workers at the risk of imminent job loss due to restructuring. The amendment also proposes to shorten the mobilisation procedure so that workers get EGF support in a swifter manner. The Commission has also issued an Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector to support the sector in the current transition. 1 https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/en/resources/european-restructuring-monitor.”
  EU policy on forced redundancies · European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
• 2025-03-03 “E-000890/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The number of people experiencing homelessness varies considerably across Member States, and there is no EU-level agreed definition of homelessness. All Member States have pledged to work together under the umbrella of the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness 1 , which represents the policy framework at EU level to fight homelessness and housing exclusion, with the overall objective to promote policies based on a person-centred, housingled and integrated approach. As part of the Commission’s contribution to the work of the Platform, the EU-funded Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Monitoring Framework to Measure Homelessness 2 addresses homelessness measurement challenges in the Member States. It highlights different socio-demographic groups that are often underreported or ‘missed’ in standard data collection exercises, and the methodological challenges behind this evidence gap. The monitoring framework is one of the key deliverables under the Platform, and it focuses on improving the evidence on homelessness. It will be further developed into a project aiming to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of current national homelessness strategies. The possibility of developing a common definition of homelessness is also being explored in a pilot project coordinated by the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven on a European homelessness count that took place in 15 cities in 2024; a second count is foreseen in the autumn of 2025 in 35 cities. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=24120&langId=en 2 https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-monitoring-framework-to-measure-homelessness_3e98455ben.html”
  EU housing policy
• 2025-01-20 “E-000215/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) can mitigate the impact of demographic change in various ways. 22 Member States have used ESF+ resources to support health and long-term care (LTC) sectors and services – reaching a total of EUR 6.7 billion during the 2021-2027 programming period. This includes activities that promote active and healthy aging, enhance family and community-based care services and improve the accessibility, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems. The ESF+ also helps reskill and upskill care workers; it funds measures to help improve their working conditions. The Council Recommendation on access to affordable high-quality LTC 1 provides a policy framework addressing all people in need of LTC. Member States’ implementation reports 2 are summarised in the 2024 Annual Report of the Social Protection Committee (SPC) 3 . The Commission will publish an indicator-based monitoring framework and a progress report on the implementation of the LTC Recommendation to the Council by 2027. Horizon Europe 4 contributes to research on demography and the modernisation of welfare states, including LTC. In this framework, the Horizon project ‘BB-Future’ 5 , aims to quantify, based on a set of quantitative models and key micro and macroeconomic outcomes, the size of the care wave, understand its implications on economic and social outcomes, and develop policy recommendations to prepare for the care wave at EU and national level. Started in 2023, the project will run until December 2026. Its eighth and last work-package will consist in dissemination activities, including conferences and workshops with policy makers and stakeholders. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2022_476_R_0001 2 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/social-protection-social-inclusion/socialprotection/long-term-care_en 3 https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/social-protection-committee-annual-report-2024-review-socialprotection-performance-monitor-sppm-and_en 4 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en 5 https://www.bruegel.org/bb-future”
  EU competences on demographic policy · EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• 2025-01-20 “E-000216/2025 Answer given by Commissioner Šuica on behalf of the European Commission Since demography is a cross-cutting issue and with no direct legal basis for EU-level policy interventions, the Demography Toolbox focuses on integrating demographic considerations into various funding schemes and initiatives across policy domains. The Commission supports Member States in funding demographic studies and support programs through instruments such as the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ESF+ is investing in people and helping to address the demographic challenges. The total budget is of EUR 142 billion for 2021-2027. It supports e.g. employment measures, access to services, e.g. long-term care and childcare, and education and skills. The ERDF has been supporting EU regions to address their challenges to growth and prosperity, including demography, for decades. 1 The Technical Support Instrument assists national authorities with their strategies addressing demographic change. 2 Under the Talent Booster Mechanism 3 , the ‘Smart adaptation of regions to demographic transition’ is aimed at all EU regions in demographic decline. It offers technical assistance to Castilla y León and Extremadura to adapt to demographic transition and invest in talent development. 4 Through the European Statistical System, the Commission supports Member States to enhance their population and housing statistics and to implement the future legal framework for European statistics on population and housing. To enhance the analysis and research on demographic change the Commission has developed the Atlas of Demography 5 . The launch of the regional section of the Atlas in the second half of 2025 will include analyses and projections of demographic decline for EU regions and municipalities. 1 In 2021-2027, EUR 7.2 billion from the ERDF are invested into improving healthcare and long-term care, EUR 5.6 billion in education and training, and EUR 40.5 billion are supporting connectivity. EUR 41 billion are supporting territorial strategies fostering urban and rural linkages, new economic opportunities and access to services. 2 Responding to a specific request from Spain, the Commission launched the ’REFORM: 25ES20 - Integrated approaches to address the Demographic Challenge in Spain’, see https://reform-support.ec.europa.eu/ourprojects/flagship-technical-support-projects/tsi-2025-flagship-tackling-demographic-change-through-supportingskills-labour-market-and-social_en 3 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/communities-and-networks/harnessing-talent-platform_en 4 The initiative more widely supports access to knowledge and funding opportunities to regions and cities from the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) and European Urban Initiative (EUI), which are already materialising with many projects on the ground all across Europe. 5 https://migration-demography-tools.jrc.ec.europa.eu/atlas-demography”
  EU strategy on population growth · EU competences on demographic policy
• 2025-01-20 “E-000214/2025 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission The Ageing Working Group (AWG) is a working group of the Economic Policy Committee (EPC). Its purpose is to bring together expertise on the economic and budgetary impact of demographic changes. The working group is constituted to conduct common budgetary projections together with the Commission, based on population projections prepared by Eurostat. This work culminates in the publication, every three years, of the Ageing Report. The latest vintage of this joint Commission-EPC report was published in April 2024 1 . The working group contributes to improving the analysis of the sustainability of public finances and economic consequences of the demographic development of the EU Member States, to assist policy formation. Within the EU fiscal surveillance framework, the projections contribute particularly to the prior guidance provided by the Commission to the Member States and should be reflected in their medium-term fiscal-structural plans. The technical work by the AWG should also feed into the coordination of economic policies and other relevant co-ordination processes in the context of the European Semester. The members of the working group comprise representatives with relevant background from all Member States, the Commission and the European Central Bank. Each Member State is represented by up to two experts. The frequency of AWG meetings depends on the workload, with a higher frequency when an update of the Ageing Report is being prepared. There is no established connection between the EPC-AWG and the Parliament. In parallel to the Ageing Report, the Commission and the Social Protection Committee produce the Pension Adequacy Report 2 , last published in May 2024, which analyses current and future adequacy of pensions in Member States. 1 https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/2024-ageing-report-economic-and-budgetary-projectionseu-member-states-2022-2070_en 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c854e35f-2eb1-11ef-a61b-01aa75ed71a1/languageen#:~:text=When%20analysing%20the%20developments%20in%20pension%20systems%20and,while%20also %20touching%20upon%20the%20key%20policy%20deba”
  EU competences on demographic policy · EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• 2025-01-20 “E-000217/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission adopted on 27 March 2024 its report on the long-term vision for EU’s rural areas. Key achievements to date include: the rural revitalisation platform 1 , the rural energy community advisory hub 2 , the EU Rural Observatory 3 , the Startup Village Forum platform 4 and the Rural toolkit 5 , in addition to a number of concrete projects 6 . In June 2024, the Commission designated 146 regions as Regional Innovation Valleys under the New European Innovation Agenda as a recognition to their commitment. The EU backed this initiative with EUR 116 million through the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the European Regional Development Fund. The I3 project implementation usually takes two to three years and cover a variety of technological and economic sectors relevant for the twin transition 7 . The EIE project implementation takes three to five years. Approximately 30 calls were launched under the Horizon Europe programme 8 between 2021 and 2024 for proposals with a direct impact on rural areas in three clusters (cluster 2 ‘Culture, creativity and inclusive society’, cluster 5 ‘Climate, energy and mobility’, cluster 6 ‘Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment’). The 60 projects selected under the calls have a budget of EUR 253 million available for rural areas. 1 https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/rural-revitalisation_en 2 https://rural-energy-community-hub.ec.europa.eu/index_en 3 https://observatory.rural-vision.europa.eu/ 4 https://startup-forum.rural-vision.europa.eu/?lng=en 5 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_656 6 E.g. 2025 Commission report on policy implications of demographic trends in the EU’s rural regions: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC140514 7 EU Funded projects: https://ec.europa.eu/info/fundingtenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projectsresults;programCode=I3?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=title&isExactMatch=true&fram eworkProgramme=44416173 8 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-09-18 “E-001746/2024 Answer given by Vice-President Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has carried out a number of actions during its mandate 2019-2024 to address demographic change, including the Green Paper on Ageing 1 and the European Care Strategy 2 . In response to the European Council 3 , the Commission adopted the Demography Toolbox Communication in 2023 4 laying out a comprehensive set of tools and measures to support Member States in managing demographic change, in full respect of the division of competences and the diverse local realities. The toolbox aims inter alia at empowering older generations and sustaining their welfare, through reforms combined with appropriate labour market and workplace policies. Gender equality, non-discrimination, respect for fundamental rights and intergenerational fairness form guiding principles in these efforts. The Political Guidelines 2024-2029 5 confirm the need to continue the work on tackling the root causes of demographic change and adapting to new realities. The Mission Letter to the Commissioner-designate for the Mediterranean 6 foresees a focus on the further implementation of the Demography Toolbox and on increasing the labour market participation of underrepresented groups. The Commissioner-designate responsible for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport 7 will have to prepare a strategy on intergenerational fairness. ensuring that interests of present and future generations are respected. In addition, the Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare 8 is tasked to support healthy longevity, and the Commissionerdesignate responsible for Equality 9 will lead the work on mainstreaming equality, which includes efforts to promote age equality and tackle age discrimination. 1 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ce2ab168-7f23-11ec-8c40-01aa75ed71a1 2 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5169 3 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/30/european-council-conclusions-29-30june-2023/ 4 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/communication-demographic-change-europe-toolbox-action_en 5 https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/towards-new-commission-2024-2029/presidentelect-ursula-von-der-leyen_en 6 https://commission.europa.eu/document/24039223-f92e-40a0-a440-a27d9715051a_en 7 https://commission.europa.eu/document/c8b8682b-ca47-461b-bc95-c98195919eb0_en 8 https://commission.europa.eu/document/b1817a1b-e62e-4949-bbb8-ebf29b54c8bd_en 9 https://commission.europa.eu/document/faaf33ff-c8c7-49a1-b01d-56681e11a5e6_en”
  EU competences on demographic policy · EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• “And that is why we need ambitious social and political priorities, and also make sure that we have inclusive policies designed to foster access to social services. So we can't focus exclusively on competitiveness and pretend that that in some way would magically resolve all of our problems. This means, for the very first time in this cycle, we have a recommendation on human capital, and it now forming part of the semester and as one of the priorities for the eurozone. So I'd like to know from you what the added value of that recommendation is and what impact you are hoping it will have. And then finally, I have a question for the Vice President. I would like to know how we can guarantee that investment in the European social model can continue to be an utmost priority for the European Union. Thank you.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Thank you. President. Vice president. I worked to ensure that this European semester would guarantee growth and stability, but also social responsibility, which is what we are about in Europe. We can't just guide ourselves by the compass of competitiveness. If we want security and stability, we need a European semester that's going to make us the brightest and the best. So we have to have quality jobs, inclusion, social cohesion and a just transition for all. Europe learnt that we can have a loss of trust and confidence in the European Union and in the European project all too easily. So we don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past. We cannot have policy being adopted that comes at expense of social cohesion. So we can't sideline the fight against poverty, access to housing, healthcare for all, social protection, guaranteeing care and basic services. So this safety net makes Europe stronger, makes it more resilient. So a social Europe is not a broken brake on competitiveness. Quite the opposite. It's a driver for progress. Thank you.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Thank you. President. People are the key to the success of any industrial action plan. At the European level. Investing in people means investing in the competitiveness of our industrial model. Our goal should be to continue working for quality jobs, fair wages and good working conditions. Last week we saw the Union for skills proposal calling on a better trained European citizens with green skilling and upskilling so that we can go through properly, go through the green and then transition. We need to help companies transition to a clean and digital times. And to do this successfully we need to have social dialogue with the social stakeholders. And this is why we should have a directive for a fair transition that allows us to be prepared for these transitions. Thank you.”
  Funding for vocational training
• “Thank you. President. Vice president. I worked to ensure that this European semester would guarantee growth and stability, but also social responsibility, which is what we are about in Europe. We can't just guide ourselves by the compass of competitiveness. If we want security and stability, we need a European semester that's going to make us the brightest and the best. So we have to have quality jobs, inclusion, social cohesion and a just transition for all. Europe learnt that we can have a loss of trust and confidence in the European Union and in the European project all too easily. So we don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past. We cannot have policy being adopted that comes at expense of social cohesion. So we can't sideline the fight against poverty, access to housing, healthcare for all, social protection, guaranteeing care and basic services. So this safety net makes Europe stronger, makes it more resilient. So a social Europe is not a broken brake on competitiveness. Quite the opposite. It's a driver for progress. Thank you.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “President. You know we don't want just vague promises because we're looking at the future generations, our children, which is at stake. The pact is a step in the right direction when it comes to dealing with the threats we face. But it's important that we should have more specific measures to support fishers. It's important that the pact should place small scale fisheries at its heart. Looking at the real challenges generational takeover, the overfishing that is practiced by third countries, we need to protect and provide sufficient resources to fishers so that we can improve the competitiveness of the sector. We should also boost fisheries activity And sustainable products, while also protecting the oceans and supporting the economic development of our fisheries, communities and their traditional way of life. For the socialists, this is an opportunity, but only if we give it the right resources and sufficient funding. Finally, this topic should not be a matter for party politics. It is a question of survival. It's about the future of Europe. That's what's at stake.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture
• “Thank you. I will speak in Spanish. Thank you very much. It's very inspiring. You answered a lot of the questions, which we often ask ourselves in this temple committee. But what you said is true, that it perhaps if there are different countries combined, we would solve some of the problems with jobs, but there are some barriers that prevent it. And you mentioned some of them. Recognition of qualifications. There's also languages, housing. And then having Social Security. That's portable across countries. That's something that's on our to do list, but something that you said to about the professions where the shortages were greatest and where women are, the over 50s could be involved. I think that here participation and transformation of European public services would be fundamental in terms of proactive approach to, uh, perhaps contact these people who are, uh, looking for a job or any job, but are looking for a different job with a special focus on, uh, sectors like women who, uh, need, uh. So that they can move, who often in jobs with very low wages could transfer to more masculine professions. And looking at us now, uh, do you see a change in trend in terms of the European public service jobs. Do you see the more alignment with the European and a more a greater proactive approach to directing people towards these, uh, public employment services? Thank you.”
  EU regulation of cross-border and posted workers
• “Thank you president Europe needs to make progress and as you quietly said we need to integrate our markets but we also need more common public policies to guarantee a social Europe. So yes, more integration but at the same time more social Europe. We've got to pool risks if we are to make progress with the competitiveness of our economies and our businesses. But we cannot do so to the detriment of the lives of Europeans and their social rights. Jacques Delors and his commission were an example we should follow. We need to pursue social progress; otherwise, we will simply make enemies of the European project where we will have the populace in the far right all pitted against the market. We need to protect our citizens as Europe advances and as our markets integrate. Thank you.”
  EU political integration
• “In times of uncertainty, what workers need are guarantees to protect their jobs. And the reform that's proposed is going in the right direction. I'd like to thank the rapporteurs for the work that has been done, truly excellent in this new business culture which we need in these times, we need to hear the voice of workers and the role of trade unions for success. As we pass through difficult transitions, unfortunately in Spain, the PPE doesn't really understand what democracy is, and I don't think they really understand what work is either that businesses and workers have to face every day. In my opinion, they are much more successful at getting through transitions with a sincere dialogue because when management and trade unions are involved, that adds strength. Unfortunately, the PPE in Spain doesn't understand that. As president of the Intergroup of Social Economy, I think they should stand down because they don't believe in the participative economy, the social economy and cooperatives are very much successful because of observing this principle. They've shown their resilience throughout a number of crises that have tested them.”
  EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
• “Thank you. The increase in intolerance and discrimination is simply leading to more hatred, more prejudice throughout society. We are living through dark times. Europe is the only hope many people have. This is why we need to have this horizontal directive against discrimination. Women, immigrants, people with disabilities and many other groups need and deserve Europe to fight relentlessly against discrimination. We need to have a proper strategy for implementing anti-discrimination and this has been taking far too long. Older people also are discriminated against. Often they are simply left on the shelf. It is absolutely vital that the European citizens get better human rights protection. And this is why I would appeal to the forthcoming councils to listen to this Parliament, to do their utmost to try to unblock this legislative proposal, to catch up with a huge delay, because this is discriminating against the rights of so many people, and they cannot wait any longer.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you. Chair. Bueno. Podemos decir la primera parte de la implementation de este plan de accion a supuesto importante es para el ecosistema de la economia social y entre el establecimiento de por primera vez, una definicion de economia social creando para toda la Union Europea. Aunque también reconocer mucho camino para tener entre todos una mirada comun sobre qué es la economia social por otro lado, también lo ha mencionado usted la recomendacion del consejo de Los grandes éxitos ha permitido y nos nos permite tener ya a numerosos estados miembros con legislation aprobada renovada o estan en proceso de hacer la economia social en sus paises. También se mejora mucho un aspecto fundamental para el éxito de la economia social. Qué es la fin de Los actores en la economia social? Aunque yo creo todavia queda margen para poder seguir progresar en ese campo tan fundamental. Aunque reconozca estos ultimos cinco anos. Han hecho grandes grandes avances también destacar las nuevas iniciativas anunciada por la Comision para en este mid-term review Como el progreso o el toolkit para politicas regionales de economia social y la intencion de fomentar mas por parte de Los trabajadores de empresas. Pero yo algunos aspectos necesitan un esfuerzo para mejorar la economia social Como es establecer Los vinculos entre el ecosistema industrial y las politicas industriales de la Union Europea tiene una connection. Entre la vejiga y la DG. Porque el sector saber Como lo van a mejorar la economia social no es algo agricola o vinculado al tercer sector. La economia social es industria de una region donde mondragon compite a nivel mundial con proyectos industriales de primera Division y otra preoccupation también es Como afecta en negativo a la economia social el nuevo financiero y sobre todo conocerse la economia social hace a la competitividad y a la industria y por ultimo y ya con esto, acabo y me gustaria si fuera posible q me respondera nos preocupa la ausencia de herramientas concretas para elaborar la proxima generacion de politicas de economia social post dos mil tenemos q seguir siempre mirando mas y muchas gracias por todas sus explicaciones.”
  EU expenditure on social policy
• “La estrategia Como. Es positivo. Ademas, se reconozca elementos clave Como vinculados el envejecimiento Como todo lo relacionado con el mercado laboral. Los sistemas de cuidados o la discrimination Q se se sufre por. Una vision mas transversal y completa sobre el envejecimiento Y por eso, quiero plantear preguntas sobre la edad y la otra vinculada al index intergenerational q lleva a la estrategia primero sobre la lucha contra la discrimination por la Comision Anuncia un compendio de buenas practicas sobre el concreta la edad, pero Como se Han y esas buenas practicas y teniendo en cuenta un estudio de la propia Comision, publicado por ciento de Los europeos ha tenido discriminacion por edad en el mercado laboral. Ustedes medidas mas concretas para combatir el mismo y segunda pregunta sobre el indice intergenerational Como se asegura la comision de qué esta herramienta? No refuerza un enfoque fragmented. El envejecimiento contribuye realmente a una estrategia integral y coherent porque de toda la estrategia a me lo mas sensible me parece este indice. This intergenerational. Muchas gracias.”
  EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• “We continue to have a serious problem in terms of the wage and pensions gap. Women continue to be concentrated in the least valued and least and worst paid areas, and they're basically the people who are working part time jobs. And the results are clear for all to see. Poverty is has a woman's face, not just in working age but in old age. Many women are getting paid old age pensions. They cannot live off. We need to close the gap for the present and for the future. But at the same time, we need to protect older women today. Elderly women. Intergenerational fairness is something that must be based on young people and the future generations. But people tend to forget about the elderly, particularly elderly women. Don't they have the right to proper services? Don't they have the right to a dignified, uh, life, a dignified pension? I call on the commission not to forget the elderly. They need a strategy that really responds to their problems. Thank you.”
  EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• “As far as cosmetics, the proposals right now result in a number of questions, as particular as concerns the sanctions. The strategy of the European Union for sustainability of chemical substances has as a purpose a world, an environment without toxic substances, without um um, carcinogenic and mutagenic elements. So, uh, we have to make sure that the particular criteria are in place of a strict nature, um, in order to assess any sort of alternatives so that we don't have any risk for the public. Also, uh, as concerns CLP, we feel that we need a balanced approach, which will allow for a sufficient protection for users, professional and professional users and consumers. Now, with regard to digitalization, we feel that it's very important, but we also want to point out that it is essential to have clear information. Uh, we need a telephone number as well, because in cases of intoxication, of in of poisoning, people have to have a telephone number to call to. That's absolutely key. Uh, also we need, uh, the inclusion of new microorganisms. All of this, of course, based on scientific proof and research. And as S and D, we want to find a middle point in order to guarantee that industry is remains competitive and viable and that the public is protected as well. We want a constructive approach, responsible approach as well, and we do hope to be able to work in a concerted fashion with the rapporteurs and with the Commission in order to have a balanced approach that would protect our industry and, of course, defend European citizens as consumers. Thank you very much.”
  Chemicals regulation
• “We continue to have a serious problem in terms of the wage and pensions gap. Women continue to be concentrated in the least valued and least and worst paid areas, and they're basically the people who are working part time jobs. And the results are clear for all to see. Poverty is has a woman's face, not just in working age but in old age. Many women are getting paid old age pensions. They cannot live off. We need to close the gap for the present and for the future. But at the same time, we need to protect older women today. Elderly women. Intergenerational fairness is something that must be based on young people and the future generations. But people tend to forget about the elderly, particularly elderly women. Don't they have the right to proper services? Don't they have the right to a dignified, uh, life, a dignified pension? I call on the commission not to forget the elderly. They need a strategy that really responds to their problems. Thank you.”
  EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• “Thank you sir. I will speak in Spanish. It's very clear that this is a challenge for the European Union, something which we're facing and it's multifaceted. So firstly, I would like to thank all of the speakers because I think it's been very interesting to hear from you and all of your contributions. And I just want to remind everyone that when we're talking about demography, it needs to be a much broader debate. It's not just limited to birth rates and fertility. We need a much broader approach. So something which I'm concerned about is discrimination due to age. Because this is discrimination that happens in Europe. But we don't have a strategy. And we can see this in the workplace. Even though we've seen that the case, the cases have improved according to the data shown by the the the speaker who presented Eurofound. I think that we still have a lot of work to do, and we need to continue working in this direction. However, I have a number of questions for the speakers. I think that the European Commission has a number of different plans in its portfolio in terms of the social plan, the good quality, uh, job strategies, and also this intergenerational fairness plan and this all of these different strategies sound amazing, however, but when we look at the drafts of the the NFF, we can see that there are not the resources there for us to be able to implement the policies in the future so that we can actually combat this issue with demography.”
  EU competences on demographic policy
• “So I want to know if within these different strategies at the European Commission, we're going to also have public policies which will be introduced, which will then help us to focus on this demographic challenge that we're facing and whether this will go hand in hand with money, because of course, we need to make sure that the financing is there. For the representative from Eurofound, I would like to ask you, how do you feel we can adapt our workplaces for the ageing population, for the ageing workforce? And also, So do you have some recommendations from some countries which could be taken on board by other countries with regard to the solutions? What has Euro found in this respect in terms of the data? And I would once again like to thank all the speakers for their contributions. Thank you.”
  EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• “Indonesia is a strategic partner for the EU, and we want to build up a solid, stable, future oriented relationship with them and with Asean. Precisely because we believe in this relationship, we need to be clear a strong relationship cannot just be based on geopolitical or economic interests. This must be based on shared principles. Human rights and the protection of human rights. Defenders ought to be one of these key principles. And it was attacked. Having denounced the expansion of military power, Mohammed CD called out illegal tin mining. Human rights defenders, including environmental defenders, trade unions and journalists are being suppressed. We want a non-military justice. We want civil justice to be applied here. We need to see who the perpetrators are and who was who was pulling the strings. We want to have an open dialogue with Indonesia on human rights, and we call on the commission to keep tabs on the supply chains of European chains operating in Indonesia, Indonesia, cooperation and collaboration. Fine and dandy, but this needs to be based on shared values.”
  EU relations with ASEAN
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Now for a year and a half now, we have been saying the same thing, but we haven't seen a practical proposal from the commission without a single market. You know we can't do anything. It's our strength. And we need ambition and courage to provide proposals through the council. Because simplification really means, um, watering down rules. And there's a, there's a you have a wish list, but you've forgotten the most important thing. Competitiveness is based in people, in quality jobs. And this is why the high quality jobs legislative proposal is so important. And it must lead to proper salaries and mobility with rights. We need to also conclude the agreement on the Coordination of Social security Systems. That's been ongoing since 2019. We need more Europe. Thank you.”
  EU competences on social policies
• “Thank you. Chair. Sir. Uh, I will speak in Spanish. Well, yes, Europe needs to be competitive, but this should not be at the cost of making, uh, jobs more precarious or workers weaker. We need to be able to respond to the quick changes that we're seeing, but without losing the human side of things. The question is what sort of model we want for Europe. And in our opinion, Europe will be competitive by guaranteeing dignified wages and competitive conditions. We need to adapt to green transitions. Uh, but we can't do this without investing in them. Unless we create inclusive labour markets as well. So we need to ensure that social cohesion, equality and labour dignity is guaranteed as well. And this should be used to open legislative initiative Of which we insist are necessary. The use of AI in work site. The right to disconnect the right to training are amongst amongst others. What's most important is, is are we going to have a budget to finance these policies? Because otherwise we'll be speaking in a void. If we really want to improve the access to jobs for everyone offering a good apprenticeship throughout your life, uh, and improving skills is something that's important. This should be made, uh, this should be put at the heart of all of the proposals that the Commission has made at the Union of Skills. And this, uh, we haven't seen in the guidelines. We agree with the quick procedure, but I also need to say that we would like to see how, uh, the council takes the Parliament's opinion much more into account because we are the representatives of the European citizens. And that's what our workers are expecting. Thank you.”
  EU competences on social policies
• “I will speak in Spanish. Well, I'd like to thank the speakers, because it's been extremely interesting to hear all of your comments and explanations. And what it shows is that in addition to We continue to continuing to experience accidents at work as we did in the 20th century. 19th century. We are. We are not fulfilling our duties. And following the questions from my colleagues, what can we do here in the Parliament in addition to legislate? The Socialists and Democrats know that there are directives on climate change carcinogenics, uh, new occupational diseases and also oculo skeletal diseases. Unfortunately, we haven't succeeded yet in getting these directives fully up and running. But what I'd like to hear is, is it a lack of legislation, or is it a question of applying the existing legislation? My question really is do you Believe that from the European level, we can reinforce labor inspections with a specialized inspection for occupational health. So beyond just the normal inspection for implementing the labor standards, should we be suggesting to the member states that they create a proper, uh, corpus of officials to inspect the labor health.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• “Thank you. Thank you very much for your presentations. In our view, AI does have potential to increase productivity by speeding up tasks and also speeding up decision making in many different sectors. But in our opinion, we need to focus on deploying all of its benefits, but reducing as much as possible all of the potential harms that I may involved. Now. We need to put an end to the limited involvement of employees in algorithmic management, because this impacts on the rights of workers. For example, in recruitment procedures or in evaluation or in the assignment of tasks, these these algorithms are often used. And this limits workers ability to be able to understand the decisions that affect them. And this reduces confidence and trust. And it also reduces the efficiency of that resource. Now often this is also done in a top down way without actually engaging in proper dialogue. I'd like to ask a few questions. First of all, to Mr. Ignacio Gonzalez on some of your slides. You talked about much more monitoring in Spain than in Germany, for example. Could you perhaps go into a bit more detail on that specifically? And the other two questions are for both of you. What role should collective bargaining play in the deployment of AI tools in workplaces to better ensure the work, the rights of workers, and how in public institutions can we ensure better accountability and better transparency of these tools in workplaces? Do you believe that a legal framework would provide minimums, minimum standards for its homogenous use in all EU member States. And thank you once again for being here today and for your presentations. Thanks.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Working now in the 21st century shouldn't mean risking your life. And if we identify where accidents happen in Europe, it happens more in temporary and subcontracted work, and especially in the illegal muddy waters of subcontracting. They don't receive risk prevention training. And the companies think it's not that none of their business accidents belong to Belonged to the 19th century people falling from heights, people getting trapped, and they're concentrated in specific sectors. Today, we're asking for a legislation that can shed light on this, these long subcontracting chains that make it impossible to find anybody liable for abuse and illegal behavior. This initiative is not going against businesses. It's going to be good for SMEs, which are 95% of our economic fabric. We talk about simplification, but careful there is nothing simpler than directly employing workers or directly employing a company that does the job.”
  EU rules on hazardous working conditions
• “With 21% of the population still in poverty, we will not achieve the aim of lifting 15 million people out of poverty. The increase in the cost of living, the price of housing and deepening inequalities mean that poverty is an urgent issue to address. Our democracy is at stake. We need a clear roadmap as a strategy with commitments to financing and governance, with solid policies starting from childhood onwards. We need to address intergenerational effects and gender equality. Please commission, take our report into considerations and take a multidimensional approach. Think about fair salaries, better public investment in public services, and effective recognition of the right to housing. I call on the Commission to be courageous. We need a budget for the child guarantee. We need a directive on minimum income. And we need firm commitment with proper funding to public services. Thank you.”
  Minimum income harmonisation at EU level
• “We continue to have a serious problem in terms of the wage and pensions gap. Women continue to be concentrated in the least valued and least and worst paid areas, and they're basically the people who are working part time jobs. And the results are clear for all to see. Poverty is has a woman's face, not just in working age but in old age. Many women are getting paid old age pensions. They cannot live off. We need to close the gap for the present and for the future. But at the same time, we need to protect older women today. Elderly women. Intergenerational fairness is something that must be based on young people and the future generations. But people tend to forget about the elderly, particularly elderly women. Don't they have the right to proper services? Don't they have the right to a dignified, uh, life, a dignified pension? I call on the commission not to forget the elderly. They need a strategy that really responds to their problems. Thank you.”
  EU policy on aging workforce and pensions
• “Thank you very much indeed. Commissioners. Thank you for being with us here today. And as you will have seen, there are differences between myself and my compatriots, and I'm going to focus on the European aspect to all of this, which is what really counts, because the European Semester is not only a fiscal compass, but is also designed to try and foster social convergence. And that is why we need to have the annual growth survey, which sets out our priorities and also makes sure that we set targets which are sustainable. And that is why this cycle is marked by the competitive compass. That is why we need a framework which provides resilience and makes sure that that is centred in all of our communities. But what we are seeing is exactly the opposite. We are seeing far too much emphasis on competitiveness, which will then reduce the social pillar, whereas it should be at the very centre of this semester. So I'd like to know when are you going to return to including the annual sustainable growth package in the semester, because many of our communities are falling far short when it comes to women, young people, people with disabilities, and certainly falling far short of the objectives, particularly when we should be making a special effort to try and make sure that unskilled young people do get into employment.”
  European Semester (social dimension)